Bernice Smith, a resident of Quality Life Services, had a lifelong wish fulfilled May 1 when the charity Don´t Stop Dreamin' took her and her husband to a Penguins playoff game at PPG Paints Arena where she got to meet the Penguins mascot, Iceburgh.

A nursing home resident had her dream of attending a Penguins playoff game made a reality last week.

Because of Don't Stop Dreamin', a nonprofit based in Butler, Bernice Smith, a resident of Quality Life Services — Apollo, attended the May 1 Penguins-Washington Capitals playoff game at PPG Paints Arena.

Bernice, 70, a resident at Quality Life Services — Apollo for more than a year, has been a lifelong fan of the Penguins, but never had the opportunity to attend a game.

According Travis Crotallo, Quality Life Services director of marketing, Don't Stop Dreamin' and a generous gift by an anonymous donor allowed Bernice and her husband, Dave, to attend her very first game.

Dave Smith said it was one of the most memorable nights for Bernice and himself.

“Truly a night never to be forgotten for my wife Bernice. She was happier than I have seen her in a long time,” he said.

The Smiths were accompanied by Etta Berry, Bernice Smith's certified nursing aide, and a C&S Ambulance driver who donated his time and services to transport the Smiths to the game.

However, not everything went like a dream that night. The Penguins lost to the Capitals, 4-3.

The mission of Don't Stop Dreamin' is to enrich the human experience of residents of 11 Quality Life Services locations and the patients of Three Rivers Hospice through the fulfillment of dreams or desires. On average, every two weeks a dream is granted somewhere within a Quality Life Services' location or at Three Rivers Hospice.

“They can be trips, concert events, anniversary parties, a date night, tech gifts or excursions. It's whatever the patient wants,” Crotallo said.

Dream experiences, he said, can do wonders by providing a much-needed break from the resident's normal routine.

The nonprofit seeks to give back to a resident or patient what any medical condition and/or need for additional support/care can take away, the chance to simply enjoy life.

Residents fill out an application.

Crotallo said Don't Stop Dreamin' is funded by Quality Life employees and the public.

For more information about Don't Stop Dreamin', call Quality Life Services' corporate office at 724-431-0770. To make a donation, visit the Don't Stop Dreamin' Facebook page.